Legal & General has announced that Tracey Bridger will become claims & governance director for group protection from 1st January 2026. Vanessa Sallows, the current postholder, will step down on 31st December 2025 and transition to a new part-time role as claims & clinical development director, remaining on the group protection Exco team.
Bridger has worked at L&G for 20 years, beginning her career as a claims assessor before progressing through team manager and head of claims roles. She has built a reputation for focusing on fair and timely customer outcomes, operational excellence and a culture of continuous improvement.
James Shattock, managing director, UK protection, for L&G’s retail business, said: “Tracey will make a fantastic claims & governance director and I’d like to congratulate her, on behalf of the whole team, on this appointment. She brings extensive experience, a strong customer focus and a collaborative leadership style that will support our continued progress. At L&G, we strive to support the development of our people from within, and today’s announcement represents a prime example of this.
“Vanessa has been with L&G for an incredible 21 years and has made an outstanding contribution to L&G group protection. We’re thrilled that she’ll continue to bring her expertise to the business in a new role. Vanessa has always brought a passion for the psychology of work – understanding what prevents individuals from working during periods of ill-health, and supporting them to return to ‘good work’ as part of their recovery.”
Bridger said: “I’m genuinely thrilled to be stepping into the role of claims & governance director at L&G. It’s a privilege to lead a function that sits at the heart of our promise to customers and to be there when they need us most. I’m excited to work alongside such a talented team, continuing to build on the strong foundations already in place, and drive forward a culture of integrity, empathy and operational excellence.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of claims and governance in a way that continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for both our customers and our business.”
Sallows, who will continue to contribute to clinical development, mentoring, media activity and strategic propositions, said: “It’s been an honour and a privilege to lead an amazing team of colleagues in the group protection claims, clinical and governance area over the past 21 years; to see the area grow, develop and contribute to the success of the L&G group protection business. I’m pleased that I’m going to continue to be part of the L&G group protection business in my new role, ensuring that we continue to deliver what matters to our customers and supporting people to thrive in the workplace.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Tracey will be taking on the role of claims & governance director from 1 January. I know the group protection claims, clinical and governance area will continue to thrive due to her customer and colleague focus. This, underpinned by her passion about doing the right thing for our vulnerable customers and the business.”
